Here’s an intriguing offering: a 1955 Chrysler Windsor convertible in running condition, with a rebuilt engine and automatic transmission, available here on eBay in a “no reserve” auction with a starting bid of $7,900 and no takers so far. The car, with 89,000 miles showing, is in Lombard, Illinois, near Chicago.
As everyone knows, a droptop greatly adds to the value of a collector car. And while this isn’t one of the classic Chrysler 300 “letter cars,” it is a V-8-powered convertible in pretty fair condition. No, you can’t drive it home—the Chrysler needs a new gas tank and the power brakes and radiator to be gone over. “It will start right up but you have to use the emergency brake to stop,” the seller says. “You could do a little work and put it on the road as is or do a total restoration.” The latter would be costly.
The Chrysler was heavily optioned, with wire wheels, power brakes, power top and power steering. It’s a handsome beast, and heavily chromed in 1955 style. The chrome looks decent, though the rear bumper is dented. All the trim is intact.
The rust doesn’t look too bad, but thanks to the seller—who offers an honest assessment—the tinworm is present in the trunk, in the lower quarters and outer rocker panels. Inner rockers and body mounts look solid. The repaint in the original red is faded, but not so much that outside storage at some point in the car’s life is likely. The floors are said to be solid.
Despite lacking a top, the interior looks like it might respond to a thorough cleaning. The driver’s part of the bench seat is torn, and patched with tape, but the door panels look intact and the dash not too bad. There are only remnants of carpet. All the power top components are present, as are the top bows.
The engine work included a new water pump, fuel pump, carburetor, distributor cap and plug wires. I like the idea that this is a running car, which would give the prospective owner a chance to check over the electrical system and other components.
What do you think? The seller has made a good start on this convertible. Do you want to finish it? It will be a lot of work, but might prove economically feasible. I see a similar car on sale at Hemmings for $40,000.
I think I’m in love.
But of course she’s hi-maintenance.
Modern suspension….disc brakes…interior…top… electronic ignition…sound…paint…shaving the bumpers. What kinda number are we talking about?
A wide conservative guess of mine, adding up in ballpark figures here, would be easily $25,000 t0 $$30,000 just to have a good looking safe daily driver. I would not count this as a collector car as I
would the “Letter ” cars. Any money invested by the buyer would be for his own enjoyment and satisfaction and not ever expected to be recovered. Please don’t misunderstand.. I think this is a fine car for the person who wants a good older Mopar and can afford to do it. Just don’t expect it to be. good investment, except for your enjoyment.
Here’s a gem hiding in Palm Springs.
https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/thousand-palms-1972-chrysler-imperial/7062361985.html
Get it drivable, add a new top, cover the
front seat, and finish the rest when time and cash permit. After all that, drive and enjoy it for what it is–a really nice project
that you could drive more sooner than
later.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these as a convertible. The design is quite elegant.
I have met this seller. He is honest and knowledgeable about machinery. I looked over a collection of Corvairs he was helping to sell last fall. I’m sure his description is accurate and concise. He was patient and helpful with showing me a large collection of Corvairs in various storage facilities in Northern Illinois. I was lucky enough to view his own personal collection also. John, if you are reading this, It’s Gregg, from the Corvair Club in Madison. This is a beautiful collector car at a bargain price. Well done, sir.
This is a very deceiving car. Not in the way the seller represents it. It is deceiving to our senses.
We see an unusual brute of a 1950’s convertible. As a bonus it isn’t the usual tri-five Chevy. Our interest peaks.
The top is down. The ad says it runs. HARD PART DONE. It is parked on those beautiful desirable wires. Excited we read on.
As we look it gets better. We can now see ourselves wind blowing on our scalp. The car is almost there.
Then it gets bad….Needs a top, It needs brakes and a fuel tank. Hmm. How long ago was the motor rebuilt? Will it be an oil leaker when driven? Was the transmission addressed at the time? It has rust. It needs chrome, tires and paint and suspension. It won’t stop there. Fade in the sounds of a cash register…..
Agreed it will be close to $30K for the wind to roll past the old scalp. Lots of these projects started in someones garage and always starts the same way. Lets take it apart and work on the engine. Lets get catalogs. Look on line. After several painful years the owner realizes he doesn’t have the time or resources to finish. He starts to get it. Once you fix the rust and paint. The chrome looks bad and so on and so on.
All project car ads are the same. Just fill in the blanks to match and it can be any car. Few are worth the trouble (The missing Shelby Big Red an example or the concrete filled General Lee TV jump car) For everything else It’s called a money pit.
It was cool for a min. though taking an imaginary ride in this 50’s brute ragtop
Agreed. To amplify your comment, just read the 3-part series in Hemmings Classic Car on the pink ’56 New Yorker conv. Agh!
took 2 cars to make one……and it wasn’t even the original conv that got saved! Fabulous story, but required some deeeep pockets.
Yes, take the two cars for FREE. Then add the cost to get the convertible finished and $100,000 won’t get you there.
Wish it had the hemi.
I noticed that. I thought all Chryslers had a hemi that year. I once test drove one that did.
This is the base offering….they – the base – were all poly for a few years
This is a Windsor, Chrysler had three models, plus the Imperial. The Imperial and the Chrysler New Yorker were the top of the line, the Chrysler Saratoga was the middle and the Newport the bottom. Only the New Yorker and the Imperial had Hemi engines.
Beautiful Mopar! I must say that I’m shocked that people on ebay try to palm off a car without brakes!!?? Can’t the guy afford to fix the brakes, replace the top , etc? Almost everything we see on here is undriveable…not to mention that, as such, these cars have to be transported in a van or something…adding to the cost immeasurably ..and then it STILL cannot be driven!!?? Would any of you buy a house that is uninhabitable…a suit of clothes that is unwearable???? I think not This never ceases to amaze me !!
Dave a house just sold near me that was advertised as needing to be take down to the studs. Purchasers were NOT allowed to even enter the house which had a listed price of $330,000. It sold for $420,000. So yes, there are people that will buy a car/house that is not usable as purchased.
Lance – This sounds unbelievable at first glance, but once it sinks in I am sure there are people who would do this. It sounds like California where the dirt underneath the house is always more valuable than the structure itself. Nothing against California – that’s just market forces at work.
As far as taking a junker and turning it into a drivable car – isn’t that the essence of the old car hobby? Emphasis on ‘hobby’. Very few if any people can make money at their hobby, nor is it even the point. Personal satisfaction is.
I personally have never sold a car for more than I paid for it. Does that make me a rube? I honestly can’t put a price tag on the enjoyment I’ve gotten from driving 2 MGBs, an Rx7, 2 Cutlasses, 2 Corvettes, a Chevy van, a Mustang, and countless other cars that were owned by friends whom I’m guessing didn’t make a profit on them, either.
Lance, true….many people have more money than brains…Lord help them. A half-million dollars on a piece of junk? I’ll bet that the sellers are laughing all the way to the bank. I wonder in which state you live…maybe I can go and sell somebody the Brooklyn Bridge.
Find another site – maybe the Robb Report ?
I have bought several houses that were uninhabitable, 40 years later I have a nice little group of investment properties worth over $1M
If your wanting cars that are ready to drive and enjoy you probably need to go to another sight.Its called barnfinds for a reason.🤔
Smokey, well done. There’s no reason not to own this, give it what it needs and drive it as something unique and a convertible, no less. Yes, one is probably North of $25,000.00 to get it right but so what? Keep it for a long time and enjoy.
Dave. I have bought several houses that were uninhabitable as well as cars that were Not driveable, all have been rewarding projects though all did not make profit. I look at potential, and I restore not just flip. It all depends on knowledge of the market your working in and being able to accurately estimate the cost of repairs. I like this car, I can picture a gleaming black with black top with that restore red and black leather interior. Guaranteed to get more looks than any tri 5!
This could be driveable for purchase price and a little bit of money and elbow grease.
Just do not expect a return on your money.
It would be a knock out at car meets
Check the production numbers….not many through the models – and no 300 converts for a few years……
I live in Dorval south and the norm now is to buy a 400k house full of mould for more than the asking price just to tear down and build a Megahouse so big that there is no grass left to cut, they even fight and pay xtra to extend the oversize McMansion onto city property. The best part is all the outside lighting that lites them up at night to attract all the insects, especially all our earwigs!
If that’s the case, then some people have more money than brains.
One really has to wonder why the younger generation isn’t into collecting old cars. When you think of $8000. for this and another $30K? Yes you can restore it and leave it to them but as soon as you are gone it will be sold and turned into liquid capital. Collections are disbursed every day. Who can complicate their already complicated life caring for an elderly car?
With two people starting out making a living, raising a family buying a house paying college loans, car/vehicle payments. With anything left, putting money in their 401K It is a different generation. Working a job with no security for tomorrow. Is that living?
Hearing a lot of whining. 1955 Chrysler Windsor convertibles are rare beasts. I’ve seen production numbers around 1,395. Most of the good ones have already been restored. You occasionally find a pretty rotten one. To find one complete, running and restoreable is a unicorn, as the kids say
It sold for $8000. something. Somebody got a hell of a deal on a “100 Million Dollar Look” Chrysler.
Modernize the drive train and slam it to the ground!! What a cruiser this will make!!!